A former police chief has been arrested and charged with capital murder after law enforcement suspected foul play in a previously-believed self-inflicted shooting.

On Wednesday, April 10, Yazoo County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a 6:03 p.m. call for a man who appeared to have a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

According to YCSO, deputies responded within minutes and found Timothy Byrd, of Wesson, dead. 

After investigators arrived, they quickly uncovered several discrepancies in the story told by a man present at the time of the incident. After further investigation, more evidence was uncovered suggesting foul play.

On Friday, deputies arrested 50-year-old James Durwood Winstead, a former Yazoo City police chief, and charged him with capital murder in connection to the case. 

This is an ongoing investigation.